Specialized in UFT & ALM

I build reusable UFT test frameworks that speed up your test operations

Consulting, framework development and coaching for test organizations. Focus: robust, maintainable automation with UFT, integration into ALM and reusable VBS/Excel libraries.

Over 15 years experience

in test automation and framework engineering — making me a reliable partner for organizations that take quality seriously.

I combine analytical thinking, precise structure and strategic approach to detect defects, optimize processes and build stable, scalable test frameworks.

My mission: make processes efficient, minimize risks and measurably improve software quality.

Workshops & Coaching

100% Automated Scenarios

UFT Test Automation: Full automation for desktop and web applications
UIA (User Interface Automation): Standardized object recognition using properties and methods for desktop and web apps
UIA Pro: Use of the Microsoft UI Automation framework for .NET, WPF and WinForms applications; reliable recognition of modern UI components such as buttons, treeviews and datagrids
Creation and maintenance of scalable frameworks & libraries tailored for UFT UIA
Hierarchical test flows & process optimization with focus on UIA compatibility
Debugging & analysis of complex systems in the UIA domain

~70% regression time savings through a tailored UFT/ALM test framework with UIA and UIA-Pro technologies.

Key Benefits

Reusable UIA and UIA-Pro components
Modular framework architecture for fast maintenance
Abstract function libraries with VBScript & Descriptive Programming
Stable UI detection for Desktop, WPF, WinForms and Web interfaces
Direct ALM integration for automated documentation and reporting

Technical Levers

Keyword-driven / Hybrid framework structure
UIA & UIA Pro for consistent object recognition
Descriptive Programming instead of Object Repository
Automated test runs and logs in Micro Focus ALM

Outcome

~70% lower effort in regression
Stable, low-maintenance test automation
Faster releases through assured quality
Reduced defect rates through robust UIA techniques

Free initial consultation References

Services

Consulting & Strategy

Analysis of existing test processes, roadmap & prioritization.

Assessment of current tests & toolchain
Migration planning to UFT/ALM
Proof-of-concept (pilot)

Framework Development

Modular, maintainable UFT framework with reusable libraries.

Folder & naming conventions
Data-driven / Keyword-driven concepts
Integration into CI & ALM

Training & Coaching

Hands-on training for testers & DevOps teams.

UFT best practices
Creation of descriptive libraries (VBS)
Onboarding & mentoring

Core Services

UFT framework architecture & implementation
ALM integration & test data management
Descriptive function libraries (VBS / Excel)
Workshops & coaching

UFT-Test Automation Core Services open in new Tab

References & Case Studies

Banking App — Regression

Built a framework, enabled parallel tests, result: regression reduced from 4 days → 6 hours.

Technologies: UFT, ALM, VBS

Insurance — Module Tests

Descriptive function libraries (Excel-driven) reduced script creation by 60%.

Technologies: UFT, Excel, ALM

Client testimonials

“The implementation was pragmatic and effective — our release cycle improved considerably.” — Senior QA Manager

“Mr. Büche worked as an external employee with us from February to November 2018 in the field of test automation for bahn.de. His tasks included test execution with Micro Focus Application Lifecycle Management ALM and test evaluation, as well as the further development, maintenance and, if necessary, adaptation of test cases and the underlying framework functions. Thanks to his comprehensive experience, Mr. Büche was able to take over these tasks independently after a short familiarization period and carry them out successfully. In addition, Mr. Büche further developed the test execution documentation in ALM and improved or completely fixed various problems in the test automation programming.” — Senior Test Manager

“Mr. Büche was commissioned as an external consultant from July 2016 to April 2017 in the project "Selection and introduction of a solution for test automation of SAP CRM 7.0" by VBL to set up and introduce test automation using Hewlett Packard Enterprise - Unified Functional Testing 12.5 (HP UFT). Mr. Büche performed the following tasks within the project as part of the agreed goals: Aufbau eines Framework für modulare Testfallerstellung in HP UFT mittels Libraries in VBS für wiederverwendbare Funktionen; Entwicklung von systemübergreifenden Testskripten für ein NetWeaver Business Client (NWBC) SAP CRM sowie SAP ERP System; Modular structure of test scenarios and parameter transfer of variants from Excel tables; Documentation of the HP UFT based framework and its extension to "Test Driven Development" as well as libraries with the functions; Extension of the framework for configurable adaptation to different runtime environments and software versions; Coaching and handover of the framework to the test team; Introduction of test reporting based on HP report facilities. Mr. Büche quickly familiarized himself with the technically new area based on his solid knowledge and experience with HP QTP and UFT. The solution approaches he designed were always purposeful and pragmatic, so the implementation of the requirements for the framework and the test scenarios for the test object could be used correctly within the planned time. Mr. Büche worked with great care and thus achieved very good results in qualitative and quantitative terms. Through his conceptual, creative and logical thinking, he always found excellent solutions to all problems that occurred. He always worked very quickly, result-oriented and precisely. Reliability and trustworthiness characterized his working style. Collaboration with him was very goal-oriented and efficient and characterized by respectful interaction.” — Project Manager

Articles & Best Practices

Best practices for robust UFT frameworks

Quick guide: structure, error handling, reusability.

1. Framework structure / architecture

Modular design with Actions

Use Reusable Actions for recurring business processes (e.g. login, navigation). — Guru Software
Limit the number of actions per test to avoid performance issues. — learnqtp.com
Each Action = Single Responsibility (one clearly defined task; no mixing with reporting).

Layered architecture

Test layer: Test scenarios / test logic ("What should be verified").
Business / Service layer: Business operations, abstracts UI interactions (e.g. "Create customer").
UI layer: Page/object model or descriptive programming.

Object management

Use a Shared Object Repository (TSR) for centralized object management. — AutomationCodes
Use descriptive programming when UI elements are dynamic or hard to maintain in a repository.

Data management

Data-driven testing: Use UFT DataTable or external sources (Excel, DB). — AutomationCodes
Separate test logic from test data (improves maintainability and reuse).

CI / Test execution

Integrate tests into CI/CD (continuous testing) — automatic execution after build. — livreblanc.silicon.fr
Run tests in parallel or in batches where possible to reduce runtime.

2. Error handling (robustness)

On-error mechanisms

Use On Error Resume Next selectively to catch non-critical errors — then check Err. — portal.microfocus.com
After risky blocks: check Err.Number, log with Reporter.ReportEvent and call Err.Clear. — testrigor.com

Recovery scenarios

Use UFT recovery mechanisms for popups, unexpected error dialogs or app crashes. — AutomationCodes
Define trigger → recovery action → post-recovery step precisely.

Synchronization

Use WaitProperty, Sync or Exist checks instead of fixed Sleep values. — testrigor.com
Synchronization reduces flakiness and makes tests more stable.

Logging & reporting

Structured logging: capture screenshot, error message, context (variable state) on failures.
Use Reporter for well-defined report events (Pass / Fail / Warn).

3. Reusability / Maintainability

Functional libraries

Place utility functions in VBScript function libraries and import them centrally.
Structure external scripts by domain or UI component.

Naming conventions & code standards

Use consistent, descriptive names for actions, functions and variables.
Version code (e.g. Git) and perform regular code reviews (DRY principle).

Test isolation

Tests should run independently; each component has clearly defined input/output points.
Avoid side effects between tests (e.g. shared session data without reset).

Maintenance strategy

Plan regular maintenance cycles after UI changes.
Collect metrics: test runtime, failure rate, flakiness — prioritize stabilization based on these KPIs.

4. Additional strategic recommendations

Training & collaboration: Team members must know and apply framework conventions.
Feedback loop: Differentiate between test defects vs application defects in failure analysis.
Documentation: Document architecture, actions, libraries and recovery scenarios for fast onboarding.

ALM/Octane integration in CI/CD pipelines — How to embed ALM work items into automated releases

Profile: orchestration, traceability and automatic upload of test results (UFT, API, Selenium) into ALM / Octane.

1. Target picture

ALM/Octane as orchestration and evidence system in the release process

Core idea: CI/CD produces builds, runs automated tests and writes results back to ALM / ALM Octane.
Automatic update of User Stories, Quality Risks, Defects and Test Runs — full traceability in the release.

2. Architecture model for CI/CD integration

a) CI/CD → ALM/Octane (Bottom-Up)

Pipeline triggers automated tests (UFT One, API tests, Selenium, etc.).
After each test run: push run results via API or plugin to ALM/Octane.
Automatic linking of tests with work items: User Story, Feature, Quality Risk, Defect.

b) ALM/Octane → CI/CD (Top-Down)

Release or sprint in Octane triggers build pipelines (e.g. commit checks).
Octane controls which test sets/scenarios are executed (test selection).
"Pipeline as a Service": Octane can initiate deployments and quality gates.

3. Technical connectivity in CI/CD

a) Jenkins / Azure DevOps / GitLab — typical flow

Commit / merge → pipeline builds the application.
UFT tests run via UFT Developer, UFT One, UFT Runner or UFT Agent.
ALM/Octane plugin sends test reports & logs.
Pipeline enforces quality gates based on ALM feedback.

b) ALM / Octane plugins

Jenkins Plugin for ALM Octane: automatic upload of test runs, coverage, builds.
ADO Extension for Octane: link pipeline runs, commits and tests.
UFT-ALM integration: test set execution and reporting for ALM Classic.

4. Embedding work items into releases

a) Link logic

Each automated test in Octane is linked to a work item (user story / feature / risk).
Pipeline run → test run → work item → release — progress & risk are immediately visible.

b) Coverage matrix

Automated tests update the automated coverage of a feature.
Missing coverage triggers quality gates (red) — release remains blocked.

c) Defect handling

Failures optionally create defects automatically.
Defect is linked to the work item and the build → full traceability.

5. Integration of UFT tests into the release flow

a) UFT One → ALM Classic

Pipeline triggers test set in ALM via ALM REST API.
TestRun → Result → Status → linked requirement.

b) UFT Developer / UFT Runner → Octane

Test runner executes UFT tests (UI / API).
Results.xml or JUnit reports are automatically uploaded to Octane.
Octane automatically maps: Test → Feature, Test → Story, Test → Quality Risk.

6. Governance & Quality Gates

a) Before release

Define minimum automation level.
All assigned work items must be green.
No open critical defects.
Pipeline run must be reported as passed in Octane.

b) After release

Octane collects telemetry: flaky tests, runtimes, failure types.
Improvements feed back into sprint planning.

7. Best practices for stable release integration

a) Clear test-work item relationships

Each automated test verifies a clear business goal.
Each test has an owner work item (story / feature / risk).

b) Clean naming standards

Recommended format: <Subsystem>_<Feature>_<TestType>_<Scenario> — facilitates automatic import into Octane.

c) Automate result uploads

Never feed ALM/Octane test results manually.
Each pipeline pushes: test result, artifacts (screenshots, logs), build number, commit hash.

d) Use a release dashboard

Show: release status, automated coverage, defects, build health, pipeline runs.

8. Example: simple workflow

Developer commits code.
Jenkins build starts.
UFT-One tests run in the test package.
Jenkins-Octane plugin sends: test run, logs, pass/fail.
Octane updates story status and release risk.
Release manager sees automatic quality status without manual input.